Cops armed with cleaning tools attack streets

Labasa Police Station personnel clean up streets as part of their corporate service. Picture: LUKE RAWALAI

LABASA policemen took to the streets early on Saturday to pick rubbish and clean parts of Labasa Town.

Speaking during the clean-up, northern planning officer Inspector Patemosi Uate said the initiative was part of police services to people of Labasa.

Insp Uate said all personnel from the different departments were released for the early morning clean-up. "We decided to hold the clean-up because it was the time most parts of the town were littered with garbage from people doing their shopping on Friday evenings," he said.

"The clean-up is also another form of community policing whereby police officers take their time out from their normal duties to meet the public they serve.

"Prior to the clean-up, personnel were called in for a short parade and told of the purpose of the clean-up."

Insp Uate said in line with the police intention of encouraging more community partnerships, they would also be entering into other projects in the future.

"Part of the community policing theme this year is oneness and unity and we believe that these exercises will strengthen our relationship with the people we serve.

"More than 30 police officers attended the clean-up and we were glad to be working with the town council cleaners who were also doing their rounds."